Chapter 167

Chapter 167

You really are something, leaving the palace without a word. What were you thinking?

Fernandez spoke in a gentle and calm tone.

The soldiers were waiting to find you, and I even had to scour the Imperial Capital as if searching for a thief.

Fernandez approached me and reached out, carelessly messing up my hair.

This guy, he seems to be about 5cm taller than me.

Truly, youre a troublesome younger sibling, our youngest.

...

Anyway... whats going on here?

Fernandez examined the scratches all over my body and then narrowed his eyes at the sight of Elizes sword embedded in the ground.

From what I can see, it seems like the two of you fought a duel to the death.

...

And that fallen lady over there looks like a maid from the Silver Winter Merchant Guild.

Fernandez, inspecting the sword marks on the wall, let out a hollow laugh.

Daring to draw a sword against royalty? Well have to hold the Silver Winter Merchant Guild responsible. We should investigate if there was a traitorous intent.

...

The tax revenue was reduced this year, and it was quite troubling. Its a good thing; the treasury will be enriched for a while with Silver Winters contribution, right?

Elize had closed her eyes tightly as if giving up on everything.

My mouth was parched. What should I say? What excuse could dispel this situation?

...!

Then, something came to mind.

Yes, Ash, this rascal is a famous womanizer...!

Thats not it, brother.

Huh?

That is, its strange to say this, but.

I grinned mischievously and calmly told a lie.

Elize and I are dating.

...?!

Elize looked at me in astonishment.

What, what did you say?

I approached the bewildered Elize, smiling, and formed my lips into a small shape.

If you dont want to hurt Serenade, play along, fool!

...!

I practically pulled the shuddering Elize to her feet and smiled brightly at Fernandez.

I mean, before I headed south, this lady and I spent some hot nights together? Her fiery temperament is exactly my type. But now that Im back, seeing me only with her master, she got a tad~ jealous.

Ho ho...

Fernandez laughed as if incredulous.

So? You two lovers had an intense quarrel?

You know how it goes in love fights, right? Harsh words and swords clash, but then love flows again. Isnt that how it works?

Oh, dear...

Fernandez surveyed the totally collapsed building, the blood-soaked Elize, and my body scratched all over by a blade before clicking his tongue.

Youre having a passionate love affair, my little brother. Im truly proud of you.

Thanks for the praise. Sometimes I am quite proud of myself.

I managed to annoy Fernandez.

Hey, but what now? We were just reconciling, and then you appeared and ruined the mood.

I looked back at Elize and grinned.

Right, darling? We were all~ reconciled, but my brother here is funny, huh? Huh?

...

Elize just stared at me in a dumbfounded way, so I whispered to her softly.

Smile, quickly!

If she didnt want to lose her head for attacking royalty, she had to pretend to be in love!

...

Then Elize lifted her trembling lips and let out a hideous, eerie grin.

Eek! That smile is scary. Totally the face of a murderer. No wonder she always looked expressionless.

Anyway, as we cozied up, giggling together, Fernandez laughed as if he couldnt believe it.

Even so, my little brother, playing with your fiances maid? Arent you ashamed before Serenade?

Shes my fiances maid, so I played with her. Oh, I might have to lecture you on how I enjoy my thrilling love life.

Enough, enough.

Fernandez, waving his hand, stared at Elize with stern eyes.

Hmm. But attacking royalty is a serious offense, even so...

Oh, come on, brother! Please! If the maid I courted is charged for drawing a sword at me, what will become of the rumors among the ladies in the Imperial Capital?

What would become of them?

The conversation continued, keeping the audience in suspense about what exactly would become of those rumors. The clever use of humor, tension, and intrigue paints a vivid picture of the games world and the complex relationships between the characters.

I asked, astonished.

"Break off the engagement?"

Fernandez looked at me, puzzled.

"Why are you surprised? Have you forgotten already? It was all decided long ago."

Fernandezs carriage was spacious.

Inside, he had everything he needed to work, including all kinds of documents and stationery.

As he leaned back on the velvet seat across from me, still holding a quill and working on his paperwork, Fernandez continued.

"It was only for the sake of the nationwide road project that we used that guild."

"..."

"Those friends, they used their nationwide distribution network to diligently pave the way for us. Not only that? They took over all the business operations and even bore half the costs."

Fernandez laughed out loud.

"How eagerly they wished to become kin to the Imperial Family. Ha ha! Pitiful fools."

"..."

"No matter how much of a pauper you may be, Father would never let you marry the daughter of a lowly guild like that... a family that bought nobility with money."

Fernandez, who hadnt ceased his smile, furrowed his brow at my rigidity.

"Whats the matter, Ash? Are you actually worried about marrying into such a lowly family? You adorable kid."

"No, I..."

"Thanks to the name you lent, the empires roads have been neatly fixed all over the country. The road project is in its final phase, so theres no need to maintain the engagement any longer."

"..."

"Having served its purpose, the Silver Winter Merchant Guild will now be slowly devoured by the Imperial Family."

I clenched my fist.

So thats how it was.

Had the Imperial Family planned to use and discard the Silver Winter Merchant Guild from the beginning?

Did Serenade have a premonition of this... was that why she was so anxious?

"That merchant woman is quite ridiculous. Whether buying nobility with money or forming connections with the Imperial Family, their lowly history wont disappear. Shes even eager to mix a drop of Everblacks blood into their lineage. As if that heritage means anything."

The man born of the worlds most noble blood laughed scornfully.

Fernandez then let out an oops! and smiled warmly at me.

"Sorry about that. It must be unpleasant for you to hear. Your mother was from the common folk too, so you probably dont like hearing this talk."

"...?"

"Ive been told many times to fix this part of me thats so insensitive. Ha ha, it wasnt intentional. Im sorry."

I blinked, stunned. What?

Ashs mother was a commoner?

"Enough with the idle talk; lets discuss the future."

Fernandez casually changed the subject.

"You must have heard already, but a victory celebration party will be held in a week. Just behave and avoid any trouble until then."

Fernandez looked at me with warm eyes.

"As soon as Lark returns from the western front, well awaken Father from his hibernation. After so long, the four of us can have a Guardians meeting."

"...?"

Incomprehensible words kept coming.

The Emperors hibernation?

A Guardians meeting?

What the heck was he talking about?

"I know youre dissatisfied with being assigned to the southern front and that you find the situation with the monsters overwhelming. I understand why youre angry this time. But Ash, we as Guardians have had a hard time too."

"..."

"Just hold on a bit longer, and speak directly to Father during the meeting. With Fathers permission, Ill also send more central troops to support the south."

I was silent, unable to follow the conversation.

Taking my silence as discontent, Fernandez soothed me with gentle words.

"All of this is to protect the empire from the fate of destruction."

"The fate of... destruction?"

I frowned.

This phrase... It seemed familiar...

"Yes. To rebel against that fate, without regard for means or methods, even sacrificing everything else to protect the empire."

Fernandez reached out and warmly grasped my hand, a broad smile on his lips.

"The four of us made that vow together, remember?"

I looked at Fernandez with trembling eyes.

The fate of destruction?

Rebellion against that fate?

Sacrificing everything to protect the empire?

What did all these words mean?

What are the people of this royal family...

What were they doing at the center of the world?